- Joined
- Mar 29, 2005
- Messages
- 124
- Reaction score
- 0
What is this stuff made from (is it stool?) and what is the differential Dx of this finding? Thanks a bunch.
Meconium Ileus
- Thread starter Kluver_Bucy
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2005
- Messages
- 116
- Reaction score
- 1
Kluver_Bucy said:
Meconium is a repository of all that the mother imbibes. It is sterile, contains little fat or protein, and consists predominantly of carbohydrate-containining substances. About 75% water-weight, high protease content, 10% plasma proteins, 80% of dry mass is comprised by mucus glycoproteins. Trace contents: lipids, steroids, bile acids and sterols.
Meconium ileus refers to the classical clinical manifestation of CF in the neonate. Intestinal obstruction results from viscid meconium. Meconium is so sticky in consistency it is not easily removed from fingers/instruments. High percent of meconium in CF pts is composed of albumin (compare with 9% in healthy newborn). It is speculated that this complication is related to degree of pancreatic insufficiency present at birth.
I do research with the neonatologist that patented meconium drug testing, so yeah I have quite a bit of lab experience with it (to say the least)...ughhhh...hope this helps though!